d. Inasmuch as they are regulated by the pressure of the hands, they may be adapted to any required degree and thus are equally beneficial to all, from the most developed athlete down to the little child old enough to understand their execution. e. The exercises may also be used in different disordered and diseased conditions of the body, of a mild character, in which massage is helpful. A person with injured legs and even one with no legs at all will be able to practice some of them in a sitting or lying posture; namely, massage exercises Nos. 1, 2, 10 and 12, and without the movements of the body also Nos. 8, 11 and 14. f. Because they improve the circulation of blood and lymph, enrich the blood, burn away fatty tissues, build up muscles, and have the most beneficial influence on the nerves and glands; they will improve the appearance and the figure of both stout and thin. g. They will preserve youth and retard old age. COMMENTARIES AS TO THEIR USE The massage exercises are chiefly intended to serve as a daily course for men, women and children, in order to preserve and improve their health, vitality, energy and figure. The best method to adopt is to practice all the combined massage exercises in their order together with a special or general deep breathing exercise at the intervals as explained in Chapter “Synoptic Review,” page 78. In this way the massage movements and the movements of the body are applied in the best proportion. Whether the massage exercises are done five, ten or fifteen times each, or more, the time allotted for the deep breathing at the intervals indicated should not exceed fifteen seconds. Practicing all the exercises from five to fifteen times each in the manner noted will require from twelve to twenty-five minutes (i.e., one performance), which will be most suitable to all who are using them as a daily course. Old and stout persons will probably require a little more time for one performance than is necessary for those who are younger, thinner or more athletic. There is, however, nothing to prevent anyone from increasing the time to half an hour or even longer if desired; or, the performance may be made to last as long as the performer might have been accustomed to exercise in a gymnasium. The average time required for doing each massage exercise five times will be found in the descriptions. THE PRESSURE OF THE HANDS The massage exercises not only may be regulated and made more or less vigorous by increasing or decreasing their number and speed, but also by increasing or decreasing the pressure of the hands while stroking the body. They can thus be practiced fifteen times each with a light pressure and not tire as much as if they are practiced five times each with a stronger pressure. =A light pressure= is accomplished when practically only the weight of the hands is put into play.